Proper stewardship of Stanford's lands has been, and will continue to be, essential to the success of the University. Stanford has prepared a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that will be in effect for 50 years.

Stanford's HCP establishes a comprehensive conservation program that protects, restores and enhances habitat areas; monitors and reports on covered species populations; and avoids and minimizes impacts on species and their habitats. The HCP also provides major new commitments of land protection, personnel, and resources dedicated to habitat conservation.

In August 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an incidental take permit to Stanford pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act, authorizing Stanford's implementation of the HCP. In May 2016, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife determined the incidental take permit is consistent with the California Endangered Species Act.